Sadness and Joy

The Notebook

Emotionally moving, unabashedly sentimental, filled with moments of honest and truthful observations about life and  balanced by unexpected humor, the National Tour of THE NOTEBOOK is simply magnificent. The musical is based upon the popular novel by Nicholas Sparks, an author known to readers all over the world. He’s written and published 24 novels, to date, many becoming New York Times bestsellers, and eleven having been turned into successful movies. They include such familiar titles as Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember and his latest, Remain: A Supernatural Love Story, will soon be a film collaboration with director, M. Night Shyamalan. The Notebook, Sparks’ first novel, was published in 1996, and was turned into a blockbuster film in 2004. This beautiful love story has been adapted into a gorgeous, heartbreaking stage musical that, incidentally, enjoyed its pre-Broadway debut right here in Chicago, just four years ago. I think the National Tour is actually better. As the main characters, Noah and Allie sing, get ready to enjoy a tale filled with both “Sadness and Joy.” 

Unlike the movie, which focused on the younger couple, the stage version is centered, primarily, on the older couple and the heartbreaking reality of Alzheimer’s disease. The musical features a book by Bekah Brunstetter, with a bitter-sweet, folk-pop score by Ingrid Michaelson. The musical is truly an exquisite, brand new version of Sparks’ novel, that’s faithful to his story and brings his name and talent to a whole new generation. And thanks to Broadway in Chicago, THE NOTEBOOK has returned to Chicago for two glorious weeks.

Like Sparks’ romantic novel, this theatrical adaptation, with its lovely score, is a poignant love story. While dramatic and often sorrowful, there are many moments of humor and pure joy that help balance the story. The play begins in a present day residents home for senior citizens, where an elderly man named Noah Calhoun is helping the nursing staff care for another patient named Allie. He spends hours reading to her from a notebook, which has a strangely calming effect on the woman. Although Allie is actually the author of the journal, she thinks the memoir is a piece of romantic fiction, and doesn’t recognize that she’s the central character in it. Sadly, Allie is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, and soon we learn that Noah is her loving, caring husband of many years, although his wife doesn’t remember him. As he reads from the notebook, the years melt away, time becomes fluid and the romance that blossomed between Allie and Noah, so many years ago, plays out before our eyes.

The cast for this National Tour is as polished and professional as the Broadway production. The two central characters are each played by three different actors, representing Allie and Noah at various stages in their lives. Lovely Sharon Catherine Brown, who made her Broadway debut at age five, captivates the audience with her honest and emotionally raw portrayal of Older Allie. The younger incarnations of Allie are played with power and passion by comely and gifted Makena Jackson (stepping into the role opening night for Chloe Cheers) as Younger Allie; and the terrifically talented actor/singer Alysha Deslorieux (HAMILTON on Broadway), is a standout as Middle Allie. These three women are each incredibly accomplished and so likable, bringing power and passion to Allie’s life.

Seen on Broadway in LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, actor/singer Beau Gravitte portrays Older Noah, making this heartfelt character all his own. He’s magnificent and plays Noah with so much honesty, compassion and love that he’s thoroughly believable. Equally adept in their portrayals are Kyle Mangold (in his National Tour debut), who is so winning and wonderful as Younger Noah; and Ken Wulf Clark (WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, SHUCKED on Broadway), a young actor with an incredible voice, filled with fire and fervor as Middle Noah. All six actors fill the Nederlander Theatre with their emotion and rich, professionally trained voices that caress each solo, duet and group number.

The gifted supporting cast includes Connor Richardson (also making his National Tour debut), who’s charming and likable as Noah’s enthusiastic physical therapist and friend, Johnny. Allie’s Father is nicely played by Jerome Harmann-Hardeman, while the magnificent Anne Tolpegin, (LES MISERABLES on Broadway) is excellent, both as hard-nosed Nurse Lori and Allie’s rigid, blue-blood Mother. Other superb ensemble members include Rayna Hickman as Nurse Joanna and others, Grace Ohwensadeyo Rundberg as Georgie and others, Emily Some (appearing opening night for Makena Jackson) as Sarah and others,  Alex Benoit (who also appeared in the premiere of THE NOTEBOOK at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre) as Lon and others and Jordi Bertran Ramirez as Fin and others.

The National Tour features a supporting company of talented technical artistry. This exquisite show is co-directed with care and compassion by Broadway’s talented Michael Greif (RENT, DEAR EVAN HANSON) and Schele Williams (the revivals of AIDA and THE WIZ). Both brought the original Broadway production to the New York stage. Musical direction, and conductor/keyboardist with the musical’s live professional pit orchestra, comes courtesy of Tina Faye. The production features an impressive, fluid scenic design by David Zinn and Brett J. Banakis. It’s stylishly lighted by Ben Stanton, with an artistic video design by Lucy MacKinnon. Paloma Young (Broadway’s NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812) helps define each character with her realistic period costumes from the 20th century, all enhanced by Mia Neal’s hair & wig design.

As this superb story plays out, you begin to hear the audience sniffling, as we collectively share all the grief, beauty and love between these characters. Noah opens his heart and bares his soul when he confides to Older Allie, “You’re my best friend, as well as my lover. I treasure each side of you, just as I have treasured our life together.” And in the final moments of this remarkably moving musical play, inspired by the lives of Sparks’ wife’s grandparents, we all identify with Noah and Allie. This is a stunning production of a sublime love story that speaks to everyone—all ages, genders and social classes. It’s a show that celebrates both the sadness and joy of life, and should not be missed.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 4-16 by Broadway in Chicago at the Nederlander Theatre, 24 W. Randolph Street.

Tickets are available at all Broadway in Chicago box offices, at all Ticketmaster locations, by calling the Chicago Ticket Line at 800-775-2000 or by going to www.BroadwayInChicago.com. 

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.

Photos by Roger Mastroianni